By Doris G. Lance

NAVAIR Point Mugu, Calif.--A large-scale homeland terrorist-threat training exercise will be staged at the Port of Hueneme, Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 4 and 5, 2003. The exercise, called Asymmetric Warfare Intiative-03 (AWI-03), will encompass tactical and operational elements in case of an actual maritime terrorist act.

Wednesday, Nov. 5 at 9:30 a.m. AWI-03 will be open to media coverage to capture on film and interview subject matter experts from participating agencies on their roles, capabilities and responsibilities in this partnership effort.

Location: 333 Ponoma Street in Port Hueneme (the Port Hueneme Harbor District Office spaces).

Agencies include:
Ventura County Sheriffs Department
Ventura County Fire Department
U.S. Coast Guard
Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Calif. National Guard
NAVAIR Point Mugu Weapons Division
U.S. Dept. of the Interior
Office of Naval Research
Naval Base Ventura County
And others.

The purpose of the training exercise is to enable local, regional, state and federal personnel to respond better in the event of a real-world attack. Designated port areas will be closed to the public to insure safety of all personnel.

Media representatives who desire to cover the drill will be required to provide full name and social security number no later than Monday, Nov. 3 to [email protected]. They should also have two forms of identification will be required on Nov. 5th, one being a photo ID, and the other proof of media affiliation.

Special access to an area of the wharf will be offered to members of the press by escorted vanpools. All media requestors filing name and SS # by the Nov. 3 deadline will be accommodated.

The following individuals can provide further details:
--NAVAIR Point Mugu Weapons Division, Doris G. Lance, 760-382-9308
--FBI, Matt McLaughlin, 310-996-3341
--U.S. Coast Guard, Lt. Steve Lalonde, 310-732-2092 or CWO Lance Jones, 310-732-7355
--Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, Greg Renick, 562-795-2941
--U.S. Dept of Interior, John Romero, 805-389-7533
--Ventura County Sheriffs, Eric Nishimoto, 805-654-2382
--Ventura County Fire, Sandi Wells, 805-389-9769
--Navy Base Ventura County, Vance Vasquez, 805-989-8095
--Calif. National Guard, Second Lt. Julio Bermejo, 805-986-7496